Managing Side Effects - Practical Information

A sore mouth can interfere with chewing and swallowing. To reduce irritation, avoid tart, acidic, or salty foods and drinks. Cut food in small pieces and consider using a straw to make drinking easier.

Maintaining adequate calorie and protein intake is important to replace lost fluids and nutrients. Large meals may worsen symptoms—try eating small amounts more frequently. Dry, salty foods may help settle the stomach. Choose foods served cold or at room temperature and stay hydrated with a variety of drinks.

Fatigue can reduce appetite and food intake, making it harder to meet nutritional needs. To help manage this, keep high-energy, high-protein snacks on hand and aim for small, frequent meals throughout the day. Eating before drinking can help prevent filling up on fluids too early. Gentle activity, such as short walks—even just around your home—may help stimulate appetite and reduce fatigue. You can also blend convenient nutritional supplement powders into foods you can tolerate to boost energy and protein intake.

Cancer and its treatment can affect taste and smell, often causing a bitter or metallic sensation. Choose foods that look and smell appealing. If red meat tastes unpleasant, try alternatives like chicken. Enhance flavour with herbs or sauces.

Serving food at room temperature and keeping it covered can help reduce food smells.

Food fortifiers, such as nutritional supplement powders can be added to foods to boost protein and calorie content. Eat at regular times rather than waiting for hunger and consider five to six small meals per day if large meals are difficult.

Eat smaller amounts more often and keep snacks accessible.

Make mealtimes enjoyable by setting a pleasant table and presenting food nicely.

If solid foods are unappealing, try milkshakes, smoothies, juices or soups to meet nutritional needs.

If you've experienced weight loss or reduced appetite, consider replacing one or two meals with a nutritionally complete supplement drink high in protein and energy, to support your nutritional needs.

Dry Mouth can make eating uncomfortable. Take small bites and sip fluids throughout the day. Sucking on ice cubes may help relieve dryness. Avoid alcohol, as it can worsen symptoms.

Diarrhoea can lead to fluid and nutrient loss. Drink mild, clear fluids and eat small, frequent meals. Avoid greasy, spicy, fried, or overly sweet foods. Soluble fibre may help reduce diarrhoea - consult your healthcare provider for guidance.

Support digestive health by staying hydrated and consuming fibre-rich foods. Discuss with your doctor whether medications may be contributing to constipation.

Mucositis is a painful inflammation or ulceration of the digestive tract, often caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It can make swallowing difficult and may lead to diarrhoea. To ease symptoms, eat soft or pureed foods, take small bites and sips, and moisten food with gravy, sauces, or butter.